diff --git a/src/serena/cli.py b/src/serena/cli.py
index 666815ee..480821c9 100644
--- a/src/serena/cli.py
+++ b/src/serena/cli.py
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ from solidlsp.util.subprocess_util import subprocess_kwargs
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
-_MAX_CONTENT_WIDTH = 100
+_MAX_CONTENT_WIDTH = 200
 _MODES_EXPLANATION = f"""\b\nBuilt-in mode names or paths to custom mode YAMLs with which to 
 override the default modes defined in the global Serena configuration or 
 the active project.
@@ -155,6 +155,28 @@ class TopLevelCommands(AutoRegisteringGroup):
     def __init__(self) -> None:
         super().__init__(name="serena", help="Serena CLI commands. You can run `<command> --help` for more info on each command.")
 
+    @staticmethod
+    @click.command(
+        "init",
+        help="Initialize Serena by creating a global config file with the specified default language backend.",
+        context_settings={"max_content_width": _MAX_CONTENT_WIDTH},
+    )
+    @click.option(
+        "--language-backend",
+        "-b",
+        type=click.Choice([b.value for b in LanguageBackend]),
+        default=LanguageBackend.LSP.value,
+        show_default=True,
+        help="Default code intelligence backend (can be overridden in the project config).",
+    )
+    def init(language_backend: Literal["LSP", "JetBrains"] = "LSP"):
+        serena_config = SerenaConfig.from_config_file()
+        serena_config.language_backend = LanguageBackend(language_backend)
+        serena_config.save()
+        click.echo(
+            f"Initialized Serena with default backend: {language_backend}.\nFind the global Serena config in:\n   {serena_config.config_file_path}"
+        )
+
     @staticmethod
     @click.command("start-mcp-server", help="Starts the Serena MCP server.", context_settings={"max_content_width": _MAX_CONTENT_WIDTH})
     @click.option("--project", "project", type=PROJECT_TYPE, default=None, help="Path or name of project to activate at startup.")